DEADLINE DATE: July 18, 2018 - applications will be reviewed as received

JOB SUMMARY

The George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, seek applications and nominations for the position of Chair for Cataloging and Discovery Services. The department provides descriptions for and access to materials and resources held at the University of Florida in all formats and subjects, including unique and cultural heritage collections. The department collaboratively supports the digital publishing and data curation programs of the Smathers Libraries.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Discovery, Digital Services and Shared Collections, the Chair for Cataloging and Discovery Services is a year-round (12-month) tenure track library faculty position which provides leadership, strategic vision and direction for fully integrating emerging cataloging and metadata standards and linked data technologies into academic library cataloging practices. The Chair leads the department in implementing best practices and coordinates ongoing development of departmental staff. The Chair collaborates with departmental colleagues to achieve the department's goals, establish policies and procedures to escalate discoverability of collections in all material formats in accordance with library-wide priorities and support the Smathers Libraries' commitment to cooperative cataloging programs. These initiatives require consultation throughout the department and the Libraries and considerable delegation of responsibilities to project groups. Additionally, this position is a key member of the Libraries' management team, ensuring organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and development of policies for library operations that are attentive to users' experience.

The department is actively engaged in national and international standards development. The successful candidate will be a forward thinking leader who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the progressive nature of librarianship, the format of library collections, and the role of cataloging and metadata in extending discovery for library users, as exemplified by the Smathers Libraries' innovative machine-assisted indexing project. The Cataloging and Discovery Services Department is active in the national and international cooperative cataloging initiatives of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) - BIBCO, NACO, SACO, and CONSER. The expectation is that continued strong participation in these programs by the department will serve to help shape, transform, and advance the purpose of cataloging and discovery.

The Chair will include individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in work activities to support all students and faculty and foster excellence in a diverse and global society. This position will pursue professional development opportunities, including research, publication, and professional service activities in order to meet library-wide criteria for tenure and promotion.

Directs the work of the units comprising the department of 10 personnel, including evaluating the department's operational effectiveness through periodic reports, annual performance evaluations, staff development, and solicits feedback from key personnel who work with the department.

Fosters a collaborative approach to achieving the department's goals, establishing policies and procedures to integrate and enhance discoverability of the collections in all material formats in accordance with library priorities and supporting the Smathers Libraries' commitment to cooperative cataloging programs. These initiatives require consultation throughout the department and the Libraries and considerable delegation of responsibilities to project groups.

Leads the department in system implementations, and works with other departments throughout the Libraries to ensure that Cataloging and Discovery Services is meeting demonstrated user needs.

Leads the department's support of digitization projects. Ensures that workflows and projects produce appropriate metadata schemes, creates and revises metadata for digital products, derives metadata from authoritative bibliographic tools and sources, across a broad range of material (manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, maps, datasets, prints and drawings, rare books, and archival material) to support the Libraries' digitization initiatives.

Coordinates agreements with representatives of the cooperative cataloging programs in which the Smathers Libraries participates, including assuming primary responsibility for assessing performance and representing Smathers Libraries in negotiating terms and conditions of commitments.

Maintains active involvement in appropriate professional and subject related organizations. Professional activity and leadership is expected in identifying and discussing cataloging issues with colleagues throughout the world.

Performs scholarly research and provides service at the institutional and professional levels as related to assignment and in accordance with tenure and promotion criteria.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Master's degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or other relevant advanced degree.

Appointment at the Assistant University Librarian rank requires a minimum of four years of experience in an academic research library; and appointment at the Associate University Librarian rank requires a minimum of eight years of direct experience in an academic research library.

Demonstrated leadership role in an information environment.

Strong management portfolio with experience leading change, supervising and promoting collaboration, and fostering staff professional development and growth.

Experience contributing bibliographic and authority records using national PCC standards or other programs for descriptive, structural, and administrative metadata.

Experience using metrics to assess effectiveness.

Experience working in an environment advancing digital initiatives.

Record reflecting substantive scholarship and research.

Application Process

To apply, submit 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position; 2) a written statement regarding the relationship between traditional cataloging and digital services, and their common future (500 words maximum); 3) your current resume or CV; and 4) a list of three references including their contact information (address, telephone number, and email). Apply by July 18, 2018 (applications will be reviewed as received). Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at Requisition 507614. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact Bonnie Smith, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at bonniesmith@ufl.edu.